Reactive target system, method and kit including reactive target for simulated ammunition

ABSTRACT

A reactive target system, method and kit are provided. The reactive target system includes a substrate, a volumetrically variable retainer attached to the substrate, and a housing to receive the retainer. The retainer may be a balloon inflatable from an unfilled or partially filled, undeployed state to a filled, deployed state. In the deployed state, the retainer exerts a retention force on the housing sufficient to hold a weight of the substrate and the retainer within the housing. Also, a reactive target system for simulated ammunition includes a linchpin including a suspender and an aperture, a strike plate with a suspension portion, and a frame attached to a target. Upon a projectile striking the strike plate, the suspension portion of the strike plate disengages from the linchpin, and the target drops away from the linchpin. Related systems, kits, methods, apparatuses, techniques and articles are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/160,355, filed on Mar. 12, 2012, and entitled “Reactive Target System, Method And Kit Including Reactive Target For Simulated Ammunition,” the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to targets, and more particularly, to a reactive housing attachment system for targets or reactive target system. In some exemplary embodiments, the reactive housing attachment system is configured for use with simulated ammunition.

BACKGROUND

Developed target systems and methods often involve stationary targets or relatively expensive dynamic targets. Close quarters battle (CQB) training, in which shooters quickly engage targets throughout various rooms in a building, can present significant realism and safety challenges when using developed stationary target systems. Most CQB target systems are stationary and do not move when properly engaged, denying the shooter immediate feedback. The shooter has to wait until training has ceased so that the shooter can closely inspect the target to determine performance. This can be particularly difficult to do if the target has been used in multiple training iterations, which many are. This is both unrealistic and slows down training. Also, safety issues may arise if the training exercise calls for multiple shooters to continuously move from room to room. Subsequent shooters immediately following the initial shooter may engage the same target, because subsequent shooters do not have an indication that the target has already been successfully engaged. Beyond being unrealistic, this situation can present significant safety issues if the initial shooter has moved into a position in a hallway or other room that is behind the target. Further, developed target systems with dynamic feedback mechanisms are relatively expensive to manufacture and deploy. Still further, some developed target systems only work with live fire, are not safe for indoor use, do not work with inexpensive targets such as paper targets, are not customizable, and/or do not include designated target zones corresponding with critical hit areas (e.g., torso and head).

The present inventors developed improvements in target systems and methods that overcome at least the above-referenced problems with the devices of the related art.

SUMMARY

One or more of the following features may be included in any feasible combination.

A reactive target system for practice shooting a projectile towards a target or a target substrate. The reactive target system may be configured to drop from a support. The reactive target system may include a linchpin. The linchpin may include a suspender for suspending the linchpin from the support. The linchpin may include an aperture provided a spaced distance apart from the suspender. The aperture may be configured for receiving a suspension portion of a strike plate. The strike plate may be configured to slide relative to a frame in response to the projectile striking the strike plate. The frame may be configured for attachment to the target or the target substrate. The frame may have a receptor for receiving the linchpin with the suspension portion provided within the aperture of the linchpin. Upon the projectile striking the strike plate, the suspension portion of the strike plate may disengage from the linchpin. Upon the projectile striking the strike plate, the target or the target substrate may drop away from the linchpin.

The frame may include an inward facing edge configured to accommodate an outward facing edge of the strike plate.

The frame may include a support structure.

The support structure may include a plurality of ribs or struts.

The frame may include a receptor for receiving a shaft of the strike plate.

The shaft may include one or more ridges. The receptor may include an interior bore. The interior bore may include one or more slots for receiving the one or more ridges.

The receptor of the frame may include a back wall, a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The back wall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall may form an enclosed space of the receptor. The enclosed space may be configured to receive the linchpin with the suspension portion provided within the aperture of the linchpin.

A method of target practice using a reactive target system is provided. The method may include inserting one or more fasteners into a target and a support frame of the reactive target system. The method may include securing a linchpin to a fixed point. The method may include inserting the linchpin into a receptor of the support frame and a suspension rod of a strike plate through the linchpin into the receptor. The method may include shooting the target with a projectile until the projectile hits the strike plate thus disengaging the system from the linchpin.

The method may include retrieving the dropped system. The method may include repeating the inserting the linchpin into the receptor of the support frame and the suspension rod of the strike plate through the linchpin into the receptor. The method may include repeating the shooting the target with the projectile until the projectile hits the strike plate thus disengaging the system from the linchpin.

The linchpin may include a suspender for suspending the linchpin from the fixed point. The linchpin may include an aperture provided a spaced distance apart from the suspender. The aperture may be configured for receiving the suspension rod of the strike plate.

The strike plate may be configured to slide relative to the support frame in response to the projectile striking the strike plate.

The receptor may be configured for receiving the linchpin with the suspension portion provided within the aperture of the linchpin.

Upon the projectile striking the strike plate, the suspension portion of the strike plate may be disengaged from the linchpin. Upon the projectile striking the strike plate, the target may drop away from the linchpin.

The support frame may include an inward facing edge configured to accommodate an outward facing edge of the strike plate.

The support frame may include a support structure.

The support structure may include a plurality of ribs or struts.

The receptor may be configured for receiving a shaft of the strike plate.

The shaft may include one or more ridges. The receptor may include an interior bore. The interior bore may include one or more slots for receiving the one or more ridges.

The receptor of the frame may include a back wall. The receptor of the frame may include a first sidewall. The receptor of the frame may include a second sidewall. The back wall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall may form an enclosed space of the receptor. The enclosed space may be configured to receive the linchpin with the suspension portion provided within the aperture of the linchpin.

These and other capabilities of the disclosed subject matter will be more fully understood after a review of the following figures, detailed description, and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features will be more readily understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a back view of portions of exemplary embodiments of a first reactive target system and/or kit for simulated ammunition, and a second reactive target system and/or kit for simulated ammunition;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the second reactive target system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the second reactive target system of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a third reactive target system;

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 with the linchpin removed to show some details of the enclosed space of the receptor and the via;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the system of FIG. 4 with the linchpin removed to show some details of the enclosed space of the receptor when the system is in the ready to take fire state;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the system of FIG. 4 after the system receives an impact from a projectile on the strike plate, after the strike plate moves inward relative to the frame in the Z direction, and after the system starts to fall away from the linchpin in a vertical Y direction;

FIG. 9 is a close-up view of the system of FIG. 4 focused on the interrelationship of the extending suspension rod with the linchpin and the via;

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 with the linchpin removed to show some details of the enclosed space of the receptor and the via;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the system of FIG. 4 with the linchpin removed to show some details of the enclosed space of the receptor when the system is dropping away from the linchpin;

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 5 and shows exemplary dimensions for the linchpin;

FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 11 and shows exemplary dimensions for the receptor;

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 12 and shows exemplary dimensions for the second aperture of the linchpin, a front-facing end of the extending suspension rod, and the via through the peripheral frame;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the strike plate showing a gap therein;

FIG. 16 illustrates the back side of the strike plate, which is configured to fit into sliding relationship with a front-facing side of the support frame;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the system with four fasteners or retaining pins, with one fastener inserted into the aperture of each of the mounting sections;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the four fasteners;

FIG. 19 is a front view of the front side of the strike plate of the system of FIG. 4 mounted to a target via the support frame by use of the fasteners;

FIG. 20 is a back view of the back side of the strike plate of the system of FIG. 4 mounted to the target via the support frame by use of the fasteners;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the back side of the strike plate of the system of FIG. 4 mounted to the target via the support frame by use of the fasteners;

FIG. 22 is a back view of the back side of the strike plate of the system of FIG. 4 mounted to the target via the support frame by use of the fasteners and hung from a support, which is attached to the first aperture of the linchpin; and

FIG. 23 is a method of target practice using a reactive target system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

It is noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the structures, systems, devices, and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the reactive target system is defined solely by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The reactive target system is provided to indicate that a “Shoot Target” has been engaged. The reactive target system is particularly useful for shooting evolutions, specifically CQB training. The reactive target system is cost effective, scalable, and reliable. For example, military and law enforcement personnel may use the reactive target system to ensure a target has been engaged in a kill zone. Once engaged, the reactive target system is configured to drop a target indicating that a specific target can no longer be engaged. Also, the target rests on the ground and cannot be engaged by other personnel conducting a re-clearance. The reactive target system provides multiple uses on various targets. The reactive target system may be applied to any surface made of any material. The target system can be attached to a bullet trap, a target frame holder, or hung from a structure. The reactive target system may be used for sniper practice, competitive shooting, or recreational shooting.

Overview

A reactive target system including a strike plate and frame attachable to paper and/or cardboard shooting targets is provided. The reactive target system is primarily intended to be used for training scenarios in “shoot houses”, where teams of shooters engage targets in a room and move to other rooms to continue engaging targets; however, the reactive target system can be used in various training settings. The housing attaches to the back of a target and the system is tied off to an anchor, which could be a target holder or some other stationary entity. When the strike plate is shot, the target drops, providing immediate feedback to the shooter. Additionally, the reactive target system improves safety by preventing follow-on shooters from engaging the same target again after others have moved behind the same target during the training scenario. The reactive target system may be attached to targets a consumer already owns.

Exemplary Embodiments

There are numerous exemplary embodiments of the reactive target system. The reactive target system may use a strike plate in movable engagement with a frame. The system may be held in releasable engagement by use of a linchpin. The user may tie a cord, such as a nylon/parachute cord, on one end of the linchpin. The cord may be packaged with the reactive target system. The nylon/parachute cord may be tied off to an anchor. The nylon cord may be affixed to a stationary anchor, creating a single connection point holding the target up. A front side of the reactive target system may be connected to a back of a target using different methods, described below.

Reactive Target System, Method and Kit, which may be Configured for Simulated Ammunition

FIGS. 1-22, inclusive, illustrate non-limiting examples of a reactive target system and kit configured for simulated ammunition. The reactive target system and kit may be configured for simulated ammunition including non-lethal projectiles, wax projectiles, rubber projectiles, plastic projectiles, paint-filled projectiles, SIMUNITION®, air soft ammunition, role player munitions capable projectiles, and the like. In FIGS. 1-22, the last two digits of each feature are intended to refer to like structures, regardless of the embodiment, regardless of whether specifically identified in the drawings. A legend to FIGS. 1-22 is provided below where the first two digits are left blank intentionally to indicate the interchangeability of the labels for each reference number. The legend for FIGS. 1-22 is as follows:

_00 Nth embodiment

_10 Linchpin or hanging key of nth embodiment _00

_11 Aperture of linchpin _10 for suspension of same from a support such as support _94

_12 Aperture of linchpin _10 for extending suspension rod _47 of main ridge _44 of strike plate _20

_20 Strike plate of nth embodiment _00

_30 Front side of strike plate _20

_31 Outward facing edge of strike plate _20

_32 Recess of strike plate _20 for linchpin _10

_40 Back side of strike plate _20

_41 Shaft of back side _40 of strike plate _20

_42 First lateral ridge of back side _40 of strike plate _20

_43 Second lateral ridge of back side _40 of strike plate _20

_44 Main ridge of back side _40 of strike plate _20

_45 Extension of main ridge _44

_46 Gap of main ridge _44 for bottom of linchpin 10

_47 Extending suspension rod or strike plate needle of strike plate _20

_48 Reinforcement ribs of back side _40 of strike plate _20

_50 Frame for support and mounting of strike plate _20

_51 First mounting section of frame _50

_51 a First mounting aperture of first mounting section _51

_51 b First flexible tine of plurality of first tines of first mounting section _51

_52 Second mounting section of frame _50

_52 a Second mounting aperture of second mounting section _52

_52 b Second flexible tine of plurality of second tines of second mounting section _52

_53 Third mounting section of frame _50

_53 a Third mounting aperture of third mounting section _53

_53 b Third flexible tine of plurality of third tines of third mounting section _53

_54 Fourth mounting section of frame _50

_54 a Fourth mounting aperture of fourth mounting section _54

_54 b Fourth flexible tine of plurality of fourth tines of fourth mounting section _54

_55 Peripheral frame of frame _50

_56 Inward facing edge of frame _50

_60 Support structure for receptor _70 of strike plate _20

_61 First lateral rib of support structure _60

_62 Second lateral rib of support structure _60

_63 First main rib of support structure _60

_64 Second main rib of support structure _60

_70 Receptor for receiving shaft _41 of strike plate _20

_71 Interior bore of receptor _70

_72 First slot of receptor _70 for first lateral ridge _42 of strike plate _20

_73 Second slot of receptor _70 for second lateral ridge _43 of strike plate _20

_74 Main slot for main ridge _44 of strike plate _20

_80 Receptor for receiving the linchpin _10

_81 Back wall of receptor _80

_82 First sidewall of receptor _80

_83 Second sidewall of receptor _80

_84 Enclosed space of receptor _80

_85 Via of receptor _80 for receiving linchpin _10 and extending suspension rod _47 of main ridge _44 of strike plate _20

_91 Fastener or retaining pin

_92 Ribs on fastener _91

_93 Tip of fastener _91

_94 Suspender (e.g., paracord, pin, etc.)

_98 Target (e.g., paper target)

_99 Opening in target _98

FIG. 1 is a back view of portions of exemplary embodiments of a first reactive target system and/or kit 1200 for simulated ammunition, and a second reactive target system and/or kit 1300 for simulated ammunition. FIGS. 2 and 3 are front and side views, respectively, of a third reactive target system 1400 for simulated ammunition. FIGS. 4-22 are various views of a fourth reactive target system and/or kit 1500. Each of the systems 1200, 1300, 1400 and 1500 may have one, more or all of the features _10-_99 listed in the legend above, in any suitable combination.

As seen in FIG. 1, the first reactive target system 1200 may include linchpin or hanging key 1210. The linchpin 1210 may include a first aperture 1211 for suspension of the linchpin 1210 from a support such as support 1594 (described below). The first aperture 1211 may have a generally circular shape. The linchpin 1210 may include a second aperture 1212 for reception of an extending suspension rod 1247 of a main ridge 1244 of a strike plate 1220 (described below). The strike plate 1220 may include a front side (not shown) and a back side 1240. The strike plate 1220 may include an outward facing edge 1231. The outward facing edge 1231 of the strike plate 1220 may have a generally circular shape. The edge 1231 of the strike plate 1220 may have a recess 1232 for reception of the linchpin 1210. The back side 1240 of the strike plate 1220 may include a shaft (not shown). The shaft of the strike plate 1220 may include a first lateral ridge 1242, second lateral ridge (not shown), and a main ridge 1244. The main ridge 1244 may include an extension 1245. The extension 1245 of the main ridge 1244 may extend away from a main body of the back side 1240 of the strike plate 1220 forming a gap 1246. The gap 1246 of the main ridge 1244 may be configured to accommodate a bottom of the linchpin 1210. At an end of the extension 1245, an extending suspension rod or strike plate needle 1247 may extend towards a plane coplanar with the front side (not shown) of the strike plate 1220. The strike plate 1220 may include reinforcement ribs (not shown).

The system 1200 may include a frame 1250. The frame 1250 may be a separate piece from the strike plate 1220. The frame 1250 may be configured for support and mounting of the strike plate 1520. The frame 1250 may include a first mounting section 1251, a second mounting section 1252, a third mounting section 1253, and a fourth mounting section 1254. Each of the first mounting section 1251, the second mounting section 1252, the third mounting section 1253, and the fourth mounting section 1254 may include an aperture therethrough and a plurality of flexible tines arranged about the aperture (shown in greater detail in FIG. 4). The frame 1250 may include a peripheral frame 1255. The peripheral frame 1255 may have a generally circular or ring shape. The peripheral frame 1255 may include an inward facing edge 1256. The inward facing edge 1256 may have a shape that generally corresponds with the outward facing edge 1231 of the strike plate 1220 (in this case, both are generally circular).

The system 1200 may include a support structure 1260 for a receptor 1270 of the strike plate 1220. The support structure 1260 may include a first lateral rib 1261, a second lateral rib 1262, a first main rib 1263 and a second main rib 1264. The support structure 1260 may support the receptor 1270 for receiving the shaft (not shown) of the strike plate 1220. The receptor 1270 may include an interior bore 1271 generally corresponding to and configured to receive an outward shape of the shaft (not shown). The receptor 1270 may include a first slot 1272 configured to receive in sliding engagement the first lateral ridge 1242 of the strike plate 1220. The receptor 1270 may include a second slot (not shown) configured to receive in sliding engagement the second lateral ridge (not shown) of the strike plate 1220. The receptor 1270 may include a main slot (not shown) configured to receive in sliding engagement the main ridge 1244 of the strike plate 1220.

The frame 1250 of the system 1200 may include a receptor 1280 for receiving the linchpin 1210. The receptor 1280 may include a back wall 1281 back wall, a first sidewall 1282, and a second sidewall 1283, which, along with a back surface of the peripheral frame 1255, form an enclosed space 1284 of the receptor 1280. The enclosed space 1284 may have a generally rectilinear shape configured to receive the linchpin 1210 when engaged with the extending suspension rod 1247. The enclosed space 1284 may include a via 1285 extending a direction substantially the same as a direction of movement of the strike plate 1220 with respect to the receptor 1270. The via 1285 may be configured for receiving the linchpin 1210 and the extending suspension rod 1247 of the main ridge 1244 of the strike plate 1220.

The system 1300 may be substantially similar to the system 1200, and descriptions of like features are omitted for the sake of brevity. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1300 has three mounting sections 1351, 1352 and 1353 (instead of four), and is relatively smaller than the system 1200. As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting sections 1351, 1352 and 1353 may be oriented at 2 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 10 o'clock positions about a circumference of the system 1300. The strike plate of the system 1300 is not shown, which allows an unobstructed view of the via 1385 and a portion of the enclosed space inside the receptor 1380.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the system 1400. The system 1400 may be substantially similar to the system 1200 or 1300, and descriptions of like features are omitted for the sake of brevity. The system 1300 may omit mounting sections. The system 1400 may include a strike plate 1420 having a front side 1430. The strike plate 1420 may have an outward facing edge 1431. The outward facing edge 1431 may have a generally circular or ring shape. An extending suspension rod or strike plate needle 1447 of the strike plate 1420 is visible protruding through a via 1485. As shown in FIG. 2, the system 1400 is in a “ready to receive fire” state, in which a front side of the rod 1447 is coplanar with or nearby a front side a frame 1450. As shown in FIG. 2, the front side of the system 1400 bears paint marks from simulated ammunition primarily incident on the strike plate 1420 and the frame 1450. The system 1400 may be mounted to a target 1498 (seen in the background) with any suitable means.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the system 1400. FIG. 3 illustrates the strike plate 1420 in the ready to receive fire state with the front side of the rod 1447 coplanar with or nearby the front side of the frame 1450. The strike plate 1420 is configured to move in slidable engagement with the receptor 1470 in a depth direction Z of the system 1400. Specifically, when installed into a target (such as the target 1498), and when the system 1400 receives kinetic energy from an impact from a projectile on the strike plate 1420, the strike plate 1420 is configured to move inward relative to the frame 1450 in the Z direction (right-to-left as shown in FIG. 3). The system 1400 may be reset by moving the strike plate 1420 back to the right relative to the frame 1450 in the Z direction. The first lateral ridge 1442 of the strike plate 1420 is received by the first slot 1472 of the receptor 1470.

As shown in FIGS. 4-22, the system 1500 may be substantially similar to the systems 1200, 1300 and 1400, and descriptions of like features are omitted for the sake of brevity. As shown in FIG. 4, the system 1500 has four mounting sections 1551, 1552, 1553 and 1554, and is relatively larger than the system 1300. The linchpin 1510 and the strike plate 1520 of the system 1500 are shown assembled with the support frame 1550, and the system 1500 is configured in the ready to take fire state, which allows a view of the interrelationship of the extending suspension rod 1547 with the linchpin 1510 and the via 1585. The extending suspension rod 1547 may be oriented at a top of the system 1500, i.e., at a “12 o'clock” position about a circumference of the system 1500.

The entire system 1500 may be suspended from a single point, e.g., a support 1594. A top surface of the support 1594 engages with an upper portion of the aperture 1511 of the linchpin 1510. A lower portion of the linchpin 1510 slides into the enclosed space 1584 of the receptor 1580. The extending suspension rod 1547 of the strike plate 1520 extends through the aperture 1512 of the linchpin 1510. Specifically, due to gravity, a bottom surface of the extending suspension rod 1547 of the strike plate 1520 is held in contact with an upper surface of a bottom of the aperture 1512 of the linchpin 1510, which is suspended from the support 1594. When a projectile hits the strike plate 1520, the system 1500 is configured such that the entire strike plate 1520 moves inward relative to the support frame 1550, the extending suspension rod 1547 of the strike plate 1520 correspondingly disengages from the linchpin 1510, and, with nothing left to support the system 1500, the system 1500 is configured to fall away from the linchpin 1510 under the force of gravity alone. FIG. 4 also illustrates detail of the four mounting sections 1551, 1552, 1553 and 1554. The mounting sections 1551, 1552, 1553 and 1554 may be oriented in the corners of the system 1500, i.e., proceeding clockwise from a top of the system (the 12 o'clock position), at the 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 10:30 positions about the circumference of the system 1500.

Each of the four mounting sections 1551, 1552, 1553 and 1554 may have an aperture 1551 a, 1552 a, 1553 a and 1554 a, respectively. A periphery of each of the mounting sections 1551, 1552, 1553 and 1554 may be solid. In a space between the periphery of each of the mounting sections 1551, 1552, 1553 and 1554, and the apertures 1551 a, 1552 a, 1553 a and 1554 a, respectively, a plurality of flexible tines 1551 b, 1552 b, 1553 b and 1554 b. In this exemplary embodiment, there are 16 tines for each mounting section 1551, 1552, 1553 and 1554. Tips of the plurality of flexible tines 1551 b, 1552 b, 1553 b and 1554 b may effectively form the apertures 1551 a, 1552 a, 1553 a and 1554 a. As noted in greater detail below, the apertures 1551 a, 1552 a, 1553 a and 1554 a in combination with the plurality of flexible tines 1551 b, 1552 b, 1553 b and 1554 b are configured to receive a fastener or retaining pin (e.g., 1591, see FIGS. 17-22), one for each mounting section 1551, 1552, 1553 and 1554.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the system 1500 focused on the interrelationship of the extending suspension rod 1547 with the linchpin 1510 and the via 1585. The system 1500 is in the ready to take fire state.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 with the linchpin 1510 removed to show some details of the enclosed space 1584 of the receptor 1580 and the via 1585.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the system 1500 with the linchpin 1510 removed to show some details of the enclosed space 1584 of the receptor 1580 when the system 1500 is in the ready to take fire state. When installed into a target, and when the system 1500 receives kinetic energy from an impact from a projectile on the strike plate 1520, the strike plate 1520 is configured to move inward relative to the frame 1550 in the Z direction (front-to-back/bottom-to-top as shown in FIG. 7). The system 1500 may be reset by moving the strike plate 1520 back-to-front/top-to-bottom towards the front of the frame 1550 in the Z direction. A support structure 1560 for the receptor 1570 may include a first lateral rib or strut 1561, a second lateral rib or strut 1562, a first main rib or strut 1563, and a second main rib or strut 1564. Each of the ribs 1561, 1562, 1563 and 1564 may be angled and/or curved. The angled and/or curved ribs 1561, 1562, 1563 and 1564 aid in absorption and/or dispersion of the kinetic energy from the impact of the projectile on the strike plate 1520, which translates into the support structure 1560 via the receptor 1570.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the system 1500 after the system 1500 receives an impact from a projectile on the strike plate 1520, after the strike plate 1520 moves inward relative to the frame 1550 in the Z direction (into the page as shown in FIG. 8), and after the system 1500 starts to fall away from the linchpin 1510 in a vertical Y direction.

FIGS. 9-11 are similar to FIGS. 5-7, respectively, except, after a projectile is incident on the strike plate 1520, the strike plate 1520 is moved relative to the frame 1550 in the Z direction. Specifically, FIG. 9 is a close-up view of the system 1500 focused on the interrelationship of the extending suspension rod 1547 with the linchpin 1510 and the via 1585. The system 1500 is starting to drop in the Y direction away from the linchpin 1510 as in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 with the linchpin 1510 removed to show some details of the enclosed space 1584 of the receptor 1580 and the via 1585.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the system 1500 with the linchpin 1510 removed to show some details of the enclosed space 1584 of the receptor 1580 when the system 1500 is dropping away from the linchpin 1510. When installed into a target, and after the system 1500 receives an impact from a projectile on the strike plate 1520, the strike plate 1520 has moved inward relative to the frame 1550 in the Z direction (front-to-back/bottom-to-top as shown in FIG. 11).

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 5 and shows exemplary dimensions for the linchpin 1510. In some exemplary embodiments, the linchpin 1510 may be about 2.0 cm (about 0.79 inch) wide in the X direction, about 4.9 cm (about 1.9 inches) tall in the Y direction, and about 0.4 cm (about 0.16 inch) deep in the Z direction.

FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 11 and shows exemplary dimensions for the receptor 1580. In some exemplary embodiments, the receptor 1580 may be configured to receive the linchpin 1510. In some exemplary embodiments, the receptor 1580 may have a cross-section in a plane defined by the X and Z directions having a width of about 2.2 cm (about 0.87 inch) in the X direction, and a depth of about 0.4 cm (about 0.16 inch) in the Z direction. Likewise, in some exemplary embodiments, the enclosed space may have a width of about 2.2 cm (about 0.87 inch) in the X direction, a height of about 2.0 cm (about 0.79 inch) in the Y direction, and a depth of about 0.4 cm (about 0.16 inch) in the Z direction.

Comparing FIG. 7 with FIG. 11, the strike plate 1520 is configured to move relative to the frame 1550 in the Z-direction between about 1.0 cm (about 0.39 inch) and about 2.0 cm (about 0.79 inch), preferably about 1.0 cm (about 0.39 inch) to about 1.5 cm (about 0.59 inch), even more preferably about 1.2 cm (about 0.47 inch). There may be considerable play in the Z-direction movement of the strike plate 1520 relative to the frame 1550.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4-22, in a plane defined by the X and Y directions, the peripheral frame 1555 of the support frame 1550 may have an inner diameter measured from opposite inward facing edges 1556 of the peripheral frame 1555 of about 15 centimeters (about 6.0 inches), and an outer diameter measured from opposite outward facing edges of the peripheral frame 1555 of about 18 centimeters (about 7.0 inches). As such, the peripheral frame 1555 has a width in the plane defined by the X and Y directions of about 1.3 centimeters (about 0.5 inches). A thickness of the peripheral frame 1555 in the Z direction may be about 0.4 cm (about 0.16 inch). Target sizes may be between about 1.0 inches (about 2.54 centimeters) to about 30.0 inches (about 76.2 centimeters). Any suitable size or configuration may be provided.

For example, the system may have (1) dimensions in the plane defined by the X and Y directions of about 5.1 centimeters (about 2.0 inches) to about 20 centimeters (about 8.0 inches) by about 5.1 centimeters (about 2.0 inches) to about 25 centimeters (about 10.0 inches) for a head target, and in some exemplary embodiments, about 17 centimeters (about 6.5 inches) by about 19 centimeters (about 7.5 inches) for the head target, or about 7.6 centimeters (about 3.0 inches) by about 13 centimeters (about 5.0 inches) for the head target; (2) dimensions of about 7.6 centimeters (about 3.0 inches) to about 18 centimeters (about 7.0 inches) by about 7.6 centimeters (about 3.0 inches) to about 18 centimeters (about 7.0 inches) for a heart target, and, in some exemplary embodiments, about 13 centimeters (about 5.0 inches) by about 13 centimeters (about 5.0 inches) for the heart target or about 15 centimeters (about 6.0 inches) by about 15 centimeters (about 6.0 inches) for the heart target; and (3) dimensions of about 10 centimeters (about 4.0 inches) to about 23 centimeters (about 9.0 inches) by about 25 centimeters (about 10.0 inches) to about 36 centimeters (about 14.0 inches) for a heart and lungs target, and, in some exemplary embodiments, about 15 centimeters (about 6.0 inches) by about 30 centimeters (about 12.0 inches) for the heart and lungs target or the pelvis target, or about 22 centimeters (about 8.5 inches) by about 28 centimeters (about 11.0 inches) for the heart and lungs target or the pelvis target. The dimensions are configured to strike a balance between promotion of accuracy and consistency with 1^(st) to 99^(th) percentile dimensions of male and female adult targets. The reactive target system may be provided in a kit including about 30 meters (about 100 feet) of approximately 550 pound rated paracord.

FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 12 and shows exemplary dimensions for the second aperture 1512 of the linchpin 1510, a front-facing end of the extending suspension rod 1547, and the via 1585 through the peripheral frame 1555. In some exemplary embodiments, the via 1585 through the peripheral frame 1555 may have a maximum width in the X direction of about 1.0 cm (about 0.39 inch), and a height in the Y direction (measured from the inward facing edge 1556 of the support frame 1550) of about 1.0 cm (about 0.39 inch). The via 1585 through the peripheral frame 1555 may have an arc shaped in the plane defined by the X and Y directions. The second aperture 1512 of the linchpin 1510 may have a width in the X direction of about 0.7 cm (about 0.28 inch), and a height in the Y direction of about 1.2 cm (about 0.47 inch). The front side of the rod 1447 may have a substantially oval shape in the plane defined by the X and Y directions, and may have a width in the X direction of about 0.4 cm (about 0.16 inch), and a height in the Y direction of about 0.9 cm (about 0.35 inch). As such, a continuous gap about an entire periphery of outer edges of the front side of the rod 1447 and inner edges of the second aperture 1512 of the linchpin 1510 may be about 0.15 cm (about 0.059 inch) in the plane defined by the X and Y directions.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the strike plate 1520 showing the gap 1546 defined by the following: a bottom of the gap 1546 may be defined by a curved upper portion of the main ridge 1544; an inner edge of the gap 1546 may be defined by a front-facing edge of the extension 1545; a top of the gap 1546 may be defined by a bottom side of the extending suspension rod 1547; and another inner edge of the gap 1546 may be defined by a back-facing surface of the back side 1540 of the strike plate 1520. As seen in FIG. 15, the gap 1546 may be open towards a front side of the system 1500. The shaft 1541 may have a length in the Z direction of about 4.2 cm (about 1.7 inches) when measured from a rear-facing surface of the strike plate 1520 to a distal end of the shaft 1541.

FIG. 16 illustrates the back side 1540 of the strike plate 1520, which is configured to fit into sliding relationship with a front-facing side of the support frame 1550. Specifically, each of the first lateral ridge 1542, the second lateral ridge (not shown) and the main ridge 1544 of the strike plate 1520 is configured to simultaneously fit into sliding relationship with the first slot 1572, the second slot 1573, and the main slot 1574 of the receptor 1570 of the support frame 1550. A depth of the interior bore 1571 of the receptor 1570 may have a depth in the Z direction of about 4.0 cm (about 1.6 inches). An outside diameter of the shaft 1541 may be about 2.0 cm (about 0.79 inch), and an inside diameter of the interior bore 1571 may be about 2.0 cm (about 0.79 inch).

FIG. 17 is a front view of the system 1500 with four fasteners or retaining pins 1591, with one fastener 1591 inserted into the respective aperture 1551 a to 1554 a of each of the mounting sections 1551 to 1554, inclusive. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the four fasteners 1591. Each fastener 1591 may have an overall shape of a tack with a flat top and a pointed end. Each fastener 1591 may have a flat, circular end with a central shaft. The central shaft may have a plurality of ribs 1592 and corresponding grooves. Each of the fasteners 1591 may have a pointed tip 1593. The ribs 1592 and their corresponding grooves therebetween may be configured to engage with inward tips of the plurality of flexible tines 1551 b to 1554 b, inclusive, of the mounting sections 1551 to 1554, respectively. The tips 1593 of the fasteners 1591 may be configured to pierce a substrate such as paper or cardboard.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the front side 1530 of the strike plate 1520 of the system 1500 mounted to a target 1598 via the support frame 1550 by use of the fasteners 1591. In this exemplary embodiment, an appropriately sized opening 1599 in the target 1598 permits the front side 1530 of the strike plate 1520 to be visible from the front of the system 1500. As such, a projectile will only dislodge the system 1500 from the linchpin 1510 if the projectile is incident on the front side 1530 of the strike plate 1520.

FIG. 20 is a back view of the back side 1540 of the strike plate 1520 of the system 1500 mounted to the target 1598 via the support frame 1550 by use of the fasteners 1591. The pointed tips 1593 of the fasteners have punctured the target 1598, and the ribs 1592 on the shaft of each of the fasteners 1591 is engaged with the inward tips of the plurality of flexible tines 1551 b to 1554 b, inclusive, of the mounting sections 1551 to 1554, respectively. Thus, the system 1500 is securely fastened to the target 1598.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the back side 1540 of the strike plate 1520 of the system 1500 mounted to the target 1598 via the support frame 1550 by use of the fasteners 1591. In FIG. 21, the strike plate 1520 is displaced relative to the support frame 1550 in a manner that corresponds with a state of the device after a projectile is incident on the front side 1530 of the strike plate 1520.

FIG. 22 is a back view of the back side 1540 of the strike plate 1520 of the system 1500 mounted to the target 1598 via the support frame 1550 by use of the fasteners 1591 and hung from a support 1594 (e.g., a paracord, a pin or any other suitable device for hanging the linchpin 1510 and the system 1500, which may be a fixed point above or near the system 1500), which is attached (e.g., by being tied into a knot) to the first aperture 1511 of the linchpin 1510. The lower portion of the linchpin 1510 is inside the enclosed space 1584 of the receptor 1580 of the support frame 1550, and the extending suspension rod 1547 of the strike plate 1520 is disposed inside the second aperture 1512 of the linchpin 1510. When the system 1500 receives the impact from the projectile on the strike plate 1520, the strike plate 1520 moves inward relative to the frame 1550 in the Z direction (front-to-back/into-and-out-of-the-page as shown in FIG. 22). After the system 1500 receives the impact from the projectile on the strike plate 1520, after the strike plate 1520 moves inward relative to the frame 1550 in the Z direction (out-of-the-page as shown in FIG. 22), the system 1500 is configured to fall away from the linchpin 1510 in a vertical Y direction (up-and-down as shown in FIG. 22). After the system 1500 falls away from the linchpin 1510, the linchpin 1510 may remain suspended from the support 1594.

One, several or all of the components of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be formed by one or more of injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, rotational molding, thermoforming, expanded bead foam molding, extruded foam molding, 3D printing, additive manufacturing, a computer numerical control (CNC) machine, and the like. One or more features may be formed by cutting, stamping, pressing or the like. One, several or all of the components of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be made from polymer, plastic, hardened plastic, paper products, metal, metal alloy, steel, ballistic steel, AR 500 steel, AR 550 steel, hardened materials, and the like. Alternatively, one, several or all of the components of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be formed by manual processes including carving, gluing, and the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, a kit may be provided. The kit may include at least a linchpin 1510, a strike plate 1520, a support frame 1550, and one or more fasteners 1591. The kit may further include one or more of a paper target, a cardboard backer, and a support such as paracord. Optionally, the kit may include a fixed hanging point.

The kit may be assembled by inserting the one or more fasteners 1591 to the cardboard backer and the support frame 1550. The linchpin 1510 may be secured to a fixed point with the support such as paracord. The linchpin 1510 may be inserted into the receptor 1580, and the extending suspension rod 1547 may be inserted through the linchpin 1510 into the receptor 1580.

FIG. 23 is a method 2300 of target practice using a reactive target system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 2300 may have a start 2305 and an end 2395. The method 2300 may include inserting 2310 the one or more fasteners (e.g., 1591) into the target (e.g., 1598) and the support frame (e.g., 1550) of the target system (e.g., 1500). The method 2300 may include securing 2315 the linchpin (e.g., 1510) to a fixed point. The method 2300 may include inserting 2320 the linchpin (e.g., 1510) into the receptor (e.g., 1580) of the support frame (e.g., 1550) and the suspension rod (e.g., 1547) through the linchpin (e.g., 1510) into the receptor (e.g., 1580). The method 2300 may include shooting 2325 the target (e.g., 1598) with a projectile until the projectile hits the strike plate (e.g., 1520) thus disengaging the system (e.g., 1500) from the linchpin (e.g., 1510) (the system (e.g., 1500) drops away from the linchpin (e.g., 1510). The method 2300 may include retrieving 2325 the dropped system (e.g., 1500). The method may include repeating 2335 the inserting step 2320 and the shooting step 2325 (and further retrieving steps 2330, as desired). The method 2300 may include additional steps, duplicate steps, omit steps noted above, and steps may be performed in any suitable order without limitation. The method 2300 may be applied to any of the systems 1200, 1300, 1400 and 1500 disclosed herein.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although at least one exemplary embodiment is described as using a plurality of units to perform the exemplary process, it is understood that the exemplary processes may also be performed by one or plurality of modules.

The use of the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and so on, herein, are provided to identify various structures, dimensions or operations, without describing any order, and the structures, dimensions or operations may be executed in a different order from the stated order unless a specific order is definitely specified in the context.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged, such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term “about” is understood as within a range of normal tolerance in the art, for example within 2 standard deviations of the mean. “About” can be understood as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless otherwise clear from the context, all numerical values provided herein are modified by the term “about.”

In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at least one of A and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more of A, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.” In addition, use of the term “based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.

The subject matter described herein may be embodied in systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desired configuration. The embodiments set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all embodiments consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the embodiments described above may be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A reactive target system for practice shooting a projectile towards a target or a target substrate, the reactive target system configured to drop from a support, the reactive target system comprising: a linchpin, the linchpin including a suspender for suspending the linchpin from the support, and the linchpin including an aperture provided a spaced distance apart from the suspender, the aperture configured for receiving a suspension portion of a strike plate; the strike plate configured to slide relative to a frame in response to the projectile striking the strike plate; the frame configured for attachment to the target or the target substrate; and the frame having a receptor for receiving the linchpin with the suspension portion provided within the aperture of the linchpin, wherein, upon the projectile striking the strike plate, the suspension portion of the strike plate disengages from the linchpin, and the target or the target substrate drops away from the linchpin.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame includes an inward facing edge configured to accommodate an outward facing edge of the strike plate.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a support structure.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the support structure includes a plurality of ribs or struts.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a receptor for receiving a shaft of the strike plate.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the shaft includes one or more ridges, wherein the receptor includes an interior bore, wherein the interior bore includes one or more slots for receiving the one or more ridges.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the receptor of the frame includes a back wall, a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and wherein the back wall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall form an enclosed space of the receptor, the enclosed space configured to receive the linchpin with the suspension portion provided within the aperture of the linchpin.
 8. A method of target practice using a reactive target system comprising: inserting one or more fasteners into a target and a support frame of the reactive target system; securing a linchpin to a fixed point; inserting the linchpin into a receptor of the support frame and a suspension rod of a strike plate through the linchpin into the receptor; and shooting the target with a projectile until the projectile hits the strike plate thus disengaging the system from the linchpin.
 9. The method of claim 8 comprising retrieving the dropped system; and repeating the inserting the linchpin into the receptor of the support frame and the suspension rod of the strike plate through the linchpin into the receptor; and the shooting the target with the projectile until the projectile hits the strike plate thus disengaging the system from the linchpin.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the linchpin includes a suspender for suspending the linchpin from the fixed point, and the linchpin includes an aperture provided a spaced distance apart from the suspender, the aperture configured for receiving the suspension rod of the strike plate, wherein the strike plate is configured to slide relative to the support frame in response to the projectile striking the strike plate, wherein the receptor is configured for receiving the linchpin with the suspension portion provided within the aperture of the linchpin, and wherein, upon the projectile striking the strike plate, the suspension portion of the strike plate disengages from the linchpin, and the target drops away from the linchpin.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the support frame includes an inward facing edge configured to accommodate an outward facing edge of the strike plate.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the support frame includes a support structure.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the support structure includes a plurality of ribs or struts.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the receptor is configured for receiving a shaft of the strike plate.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the shaft includes one or more ridges, wherein the receptor includes an interior bore, and wherein the interior bore includes one or more slots for receiving the one or more ridges.
 16. The method of claim 8, wherein the receptor of the frame includes a back wall, a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and wherein the back wall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall form an enclosed space of the receptor, the enclosed space configured to receive the linchpin with the suspension portion provided within the aperture of the linchpin. 